New releases last four weeks: UK Garage

Review: Following their 2022 collaboration Dissolve in the Rain, drum & bass favourite Calibre and Camden-born singer and producer Chelou reunite for a new series of genre-blurring tracks. Chelou's distinct style meshes effortlessly with Calibre's emotionally rich production here on two tunes that create melancholic, slow-burning vibes that feel both intimate and expansive. 'Doing It For You' is introspective thanks to the pad work while also riding on an irresistible broken beat rhythm. Then, 'No Man Is An Island Rework' is a silky smooth drum & bass sound with folky vocals making for a brilliant counterpoint.

Review: Dungen Meat duo Brawther and Tristan Da Cunha deal in heavyweight, no-nonsense house and that is embodied in their label Slabs, which focuses on the deeper side of things and now welcomes Dutch talent Job de Jong for a stylish brace of cuts. 'Like This' draws from all over - dubwise vocal samples, percussion from garage, kicks from house music and echo from dub. It's a physical, bouncy sound for energising the dance floor without ever resorting to gimmicks. On the flip, 'MB' pumps a garage-house vibe with dusty drum rotations and snares that flap in the wind. Add in bulbous organ lines and balmy pads and you have a nice neon heater.

Review: Gary "Gaz" returns with four more skewed UK garage cuts under the Steak Baked Garage Bakes banner, following hot on the heels of his first EP, not to mention an accompanying myth alleging a certain Greggs-pastry binging excess on the part of the artist. As ever, the music's as daft as it is deadly, with 'Gary Loves Garage' dialling in signature chordwork (emphasis is placed on the dominant seventh sharp ninth, an apparent harmonic staple of speed garage) with the sort of reverence that's turned Gaz into a kind of postcode-specific myth among local "deep garage dads". 'Gary Visits NYC (BA Premium Economy)' goes on to help us imagine a recent attempt at a trip that never quite happened, derailed by Wetherspoons and terminal confusion; finally, 'Gary's SP1200' is a wonky lament to gear forever just out of reach, while 'Gary's Pad Patterns' celebrates his most prized Zip disc like a sacred text.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Burnski's Constant Sound is very nearly at 50 releases and not one of them has ever dipped below essential levels of quality. Kepler has been a regular contributor to this fine catalogue and returns with more of his shuffling, playful and charming garage cuts. 'Recall' manages to be both deep and driving, with cute chord stabs and a smart vocal sample that adds the r&b gloss. 'Flavour' has those old school stabs and filthy basslines and 'Loft Groove' is a bouncy, low-slung number with organic percussion. Closing out another high-grade offering is 'Don't Stop' which brings some dubby chords to a slick, punchy house rhythm. Pure class.

Review: Six months after Ed Rain's debut solo album Met Him on a Wednesday, which was a project by Khidja's Andrei Rusu, Malka Tuti is back with two heavyweight remixes of the title track featuring Fantastic Twins. On the A-side, Pilooski delivers a gritty, sub-heavy rework that's all jagged rhythms and late-90s UK club energy reimagined for modern big rooms. On the flip, Superpitcher lends his unmistakable touch with a woozy, melancholic pop-leaning version laid over a droning sub-bassline, full of depth and gentle euphoria. It's the kind of track you'll play on loop, soaked in bittersweet beauty and playful charm.

Review: Nike TNs and full Nike Tech tracksuits. Balacalavas. Crossbody bags. All these things come to mind when you hit play on this naughty new EP from Harry Wills & Mikey Sebastian, who tap into various garage, house and raps styles from across the past 30 years. It's pure filthy and sleazy fun with charming UK vocals and punchy drums riding a wave of youthful excitement. After the direct opener, 'Interstellar Reveller' draws back a little more intimate vocal work and bubbly drums and bass that hit different and deeper. 'Lay Back (Get That)' then has a more melodic edge and taught synth work over dusty drums. Charming stuff.

Review: Velvet Velour (Liam Dodds) is the central name to propel London house and garage outing Oblique Recordings into brighter lights. After Espresso Bandini, Enrico Dragoni and Double Identity threw back to glaring future-past speed garage vibes on the label's last outing in 2023, now Eli Atala, MTTY and Velour join up for yet another frazzling fandango in the same style. From deep bass layers to sharp percussions, it's another knockout freshener from the cottage factory based in the big smoke.